Afstan: CIDA hampering reconstruction

At a tipping point. Brig.-Gen Al Howard testifies at the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence:

Canada's efforts to bring peace and stability to southern Afghanistan are being hindered by the reluctance of a federal agency to spend money earmarked for reconstruction, a Senate committee was told Monday.

And the absence of that rebuilding effort is putting the lives of Canadian soldiers at risk, said the chair of the Senate security and defence committee.

Several projects by the provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar have been ready to implement, but they're on hold because of a lack of funding from the Canadian International Development Agency or CIDA, Brig.-Gen Al Howard testified.

"There are a few funding glitches," he said. "There are a number of projects where we are just waiting to get additional money."

Several projects by the provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar have been ready to implement, but they're on hold because of a lack of funding from the Canadian International Development Agency or CIDA, Brig.-Gen Al Howard testified.

"There are a few funding glitches," he said. "There are a number of projects where we are just waiting to get additional money."

The federal government has set aside $100 million in development aid for Afghanistan, $10 million of which is for projects in the volatile southern region, where Canadian troops have been engaged in a bloody struggle with Taliban insurgents.

Howard was reluctant to criticize CIDA, saying the agency is the expert in development and has its own way of conducting business.

"It's not just about money," said the former artillery officer, who spent a tour in Afghanistan when Canadian troops were based in Kabul.

"It's also about trying to building the capacity so (the Afghans) can do it themselves. We could race out the front gate and build a school. We could probably do it tomorrow without any difficulty."

But trying to dig water wells, construct schools, roads and bridges through the local authorities is a slow, frustrating exercise, said Howard.

He said senior Defence Department officials have embarked on a quiet backroom arm-twisting campaign to get the money flowing...

Howard, one of the country's most senior military planners, conceded that the impoverished nation is at "the tipping point."

There are 23 provincial reconstruction team bases - PRTs-in Afghanistan, 15 of which are under NATO control. The rest are American.

U.S. bases are run differently from those of allied countries. The local military commander has the vast majority of the budget and is able to spend it as needed.

Canada and Britain give civilian agencies more control over rebuilding funds.